Wyoming

U.S. national parks are beautiful to begin with. But when the
deciduous trees that blanket so many national parks become aglow with
radiant fall foliage, the spectacle is astounding. You might need to
pack a sweater, but you can snap gorgeous photos, partake in special
activities, and, of course, enjoy the colors of autumn when you plan a
trip this season.

Although fall means fewer crowds (and perhaps the chance to more
easily spot wildlife) in popular parks, the weather can be
unpredictable, and some facilities even close up after the summer
season. Be sure to contact your park for details on what's open and
what's not before planning your trip.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia might be the first place that comes to mind when you think of
fall colors at national parks—the destination attracts thousands of leaf
peepers in autumn, so be prepared for some crowds. But it's totally
worth it—traverse the park's more than 125 miles of hiking trails to
discover amazing views, take a ranger-led bird-watching walk among the
changing leaves, or rent a kayak and take in the scenery from the water.

When to Go: Peak fall colors generally pop up around mid-October. Check the region's leaf status on MaineFoliage.com.

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, Texas

You might be surprised to learn that the Texas Hill Country is a
prime place for leaf peeping down south. Head to Lyndon B. Johnson
National Historical Park, where you can get a side of American history
with your foliage. The park is home to the LBJ Ranch (also known as the
Texas White House), which is surrounded by wild brush country. Here,
sumacs, oaks, and haw hollies become awash with intense fall hues during
autumn.

When to Go: You'll likely find the best foliage from mid-October through November.

Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

This park's famed cave system—more than 400 square miles of explored
underground caverns that make up the world's longest—is the reason most
visitors make the trip. But don't overlook the scenery aboveground.
Forests of oaks, hickories, gum trees, and dogwoods on rolling Kentucky
hills become a mosaic of fall colors this time of year.

We love the sweeping views of water and the eyeful of beautiful fall
colors that Sleeping Bear's sky-high dunes afford during this time of
year. Visitors can get even better views from the air: Board a
helicopter or hot-air balloon and view fall foliage on an aerial tour.

When to Go: You'll find peak colors in the region from mid-September through early October. Check Michigan.org's Fall Color Map to see the status of local foliage.

Valley Forge National Historical Park, Pennsylvania

Just a short drive from Philadelphia, Valley Forge is the site where
General Washington and his Continental Army camped during the
Revolutionary War. Here, visitors can learn about life in the 18th
century as well as explore an expanse of lush parkland, including more
than 3,000 acres of grassland, wetland, and deciduous forest, which
become awash with rich colors in autumn.

There are about 100 native tree species in America's most-visited
national park, most of which turn kaleidoscopic come fall. Changing
leaves are complemented by autumn wildflowers: delicate asters and other
varieties furnish pops of color.

Since Shenandoah's more than 300 square miles of parkland are so
heavily forested, it's a gorgeous place to be when the seasons change.
Look for oak and chestnut trees, which are abundant in the park, as well
as splashes of autumn pigment from sassafras, sumac, and poison ivy.
(Yes, poison ivy leaves change color in the fall. Just don't get too
close.)

When to Go: Take a peek at the park's Mountain View Webcam
for a real-time look at the changing leaves. Expect the best colors in
mid-October in more elevated parts of the park and late October to early
November in more low-lying areas.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Fall foliage in this enormous, wild expanse of alpine forests and
Rocky Mountains in Montana is quite the sight. But fall is a wonderful
time to visit if you want to see wildlife, too. The National Park Service website
says that there are fewer people in the park and more animals—including
grizzlies, wolves, and eagles—out and about during autumn.

When to Go: Peak fall colors generally appear at the end of September and beginning of October.

Zion National Park, Utah

Zion National Park's jaw-dropping sky-high cliffs provide the perfect
points for seeing miles of mesas and forested land decked out in reds,
oranges, and golds. Climb to the top of Zion's massive sandstone cliffs
to get sweeping bird's-eye views of the autumn scenery.

When to Go: Zion shows its best colors in late October.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia

When to Go: Follow Harpers Ferry on Facebook for the latest foliage updates. According to the page, the leaves are already beginning to change.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

Close to Cleveland and hugging the winding Cuyahoga River, this
national park is a Midwestern sanctuary for fall foliage seekers.
There's so much to do: Hike along more than 125 miles of trails, take
part in an EarthCaching
adventure, or go bird-watching (look out for the bald eagles). One of
the most relaxing ways to enjoy the fall colors is to hop onboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, which rolls through the park past lush woods, meadows, the Cuyahoga River, and historical small towns.

When to Go: The best colors flourish in mid-October. Check the Fall Color Report for real-time updates.

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, Wyoming

These parks are so close that they almost touch, and they offer
amazing autumn colors against a backdrop of snowcapped mountains,
waterfalls, forests, and lakes that reflect the changing leaves. Hikes,
horseback rides, and ranger-led treks are fabulous ways to see the
foliage. Or get a bird's-eye view with a hot-air balloon ride or a trip on the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram.

You could shuffle past the wonders of Yellowstone with the rest of the crowd, but then you'd end up with the same geyser story as everyone else. Instead, take a private tour, pick up an exclusive piece of "Yellowstone Collection" furniture, or get serenaded by a string quartet at sundown. You'll feel like an A-lister without spending like one.

PlayYellowstone Association Tours: Thanks to Yellowstone Association naturalists, you can leave your field guide in the car. These local experts will take you and your family or friends on a private eight-hour jaunt through the park. See the geysers, mud pots, and hot springs, and find out why they do what they do. Or learn about the historic reintroduction of wolves in the park and, with any luck, see them. Daily group rates are $495 for up to five participants.

ShopOld Hickory Furniture's Yellowstone Collection: Go ahead and fall in love with the lamp, nightstand, mirror, or dining room chair at Yellowstone's Old Faithful Inn. Now you can take home a replica piece of this 1904 hotel and National Historic Landmark. Yellowstone gift shops have teamed up with Old Hickory Furniture Company (building pieces for the lodge since it opened) to sell a new "Yellowstone Collection" of furniture. Lamps go for $199, chairs for $475—a bargain when you consider sentimental value and the fact that the original dining room chairs are still in use today.

StayLake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins: The apres-hiking scene at this historic lakeside hotel is something right out of The Great Gatsby. In the lobby, guests sip whites and reds as they watch the sinking sun and daydream to the sounds of a string quartet. The premium rooms restored to 1920s decor are a bit on the pricey side, but you can stay for less in the hotel's adjacent annex rooms ($145 per night) or in your own cabin ($130/night).

Jackson Hole still has that cowboys-and-saloon feel, but thanks to world-class skiing and some over-the-top resorts, it has become somewhat of a playground for the rich and famous. If you know where to look, though, there are still a few cowboy deals to be had here at the gateway to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park.

PlayYellowstone National Park: Although it may be overrun with tourists in July and August, Yellowstone National Park is still worth a visit, particularly if you go in May or early June, or wait until after the summer entirely. You simply cannot visit Jackson Hole and not allot a few minutes to ooh and ahh at Old Faithful. The drive into the park can sometimes take awhile, but the friendly bison clomping along beside you will keep your mind off it. A $25 per car or $12 per bike entry fee gets you access for seven days.

DrinkMillion Dollar Cowboy Bar: For a taste of what Jackson Hole was like years ago, put your boots on and head over to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, where the drinks are stiff, the country music is live (Willie Nelson and Hank Williams, Jr. have each graced the stage), and the saddle-seat bar stools are magnificent.

StayElk Country Inn: Only about a five-minute walk from the town square in Jackson Hole, the Elk Country Inn is ideal in every season. It offers three types of lodging—doubles and queens in its main lodge, detached two-room log cabins with kitchens, and larger family-size rooms. Both rooms and cabins are decked out in cowboy country decor and there's a large, shared barbecue and picnic area in the back. The inn is also on the shuttle route to the ski resort, which makes it convenient in the winter. Rooms start at $55 per night in the winter and $76 per night in the summer.

You can use our tool to compare airfares to Jackson Hole from multiple travel providers.

Jackson Hole still has that cowboys-and-saloon feel, but thanks to world-class skiing and some over-the-top resorts, it has become somewhat of a playground for the rich and famous. If you know where to look, though, there are still a few cowboy deals to be had here at the gateway to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park.

PlayYellowstone National Park: Although it may be overrun with tourists in July and August, Yellowstone National Park is still worth a visit, particularly if you go in May or early June, or wait until after the summer entirely. You simply cannot visit Jackson Hole and not allot a few minutes to ooh and ahh at Old Faithful. The drive into the park can sometimes take awhile, but the friendly bison clomping along beside you will keep your mind off it. A $25 per car or $12 per bike entry fee gets you access for seven days.

DrinkMillion Dollar Cowboy Bar: For a taste of what Jackson Hole was like years ago, put your boots on and head over to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, where the drinks are stiff, the country music is live (Willie Nelson and Hank Williams, Jr. have each graced the stage), and the saddle-seat bar stools are magnificent.

StayElk Country Inn: Only about a five-minute walk from the town square in Jackson Hole, the Elk Country Inn is ideal in every season. It offers three types of lodging—doubles and queens in its main lodge, detached two-room log cabins with kitchens, and larger family-size rooms. Both rooms and cabins are decked out in cowboy country decor and there's a large, shared barbeque and picnic area in the back. The inn is also on the shuttle route to the ski resort, which makes it convenient in the winter. Rooms start at $55 per night in the winter and $76 per night in the summer.

You can use our tool to compare airfares to Jackson Hole from multiple travel providers.